Every year a new executive team/ coiste gnó is elected to work at a national level within USI. Candidates are elected at the annual national congress/ comhdail by representatives of all the member organisations across the country.
The role is wide-ranging, and covers physical, mental and sexual wellbeing among others. The VP for Welfare raises awareness through things likes campaigns and events, they participate in lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the student body at national level, they sit on multiple boards and committees and a national representative, and they support local member organisations in their work. They also partner with the Mental Health Programme Manager on all things related to student mental health.
Emma Monahan is the Vice President for Welfare for the 2023-2024 academic year. She studied in DCU.
Tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be Welfare Officer?
I moved from Donegal to Dublin to study Communications in Dublin City University. I come from a background that is underrepresented in third level education, and I entered college as an Access student through the HEAR route. From a young age I knew that one of the main things that would stand in my way from accessing third level education were the financial barriers that were in place and so I was delighted to recieve funding from SUSI in order to pursue my degree. Starting college during COVID meant that there were few ways to meet and interact with new people, so looking for a way to get involved in college life, I ran to be a class representative and was elected by my peers. From there my involvement with the Students’ Union began, I continued as a class representative in my second year before being elected as the Vice President for Community and Citizenship on the Unions’ full time sabbatical team. Here I focused on issues such as accommodation, getting students involved in volunteering, sustainability initiatives and fostering a sense of community on campus. From there, I decided to run for the national union, serving as Vice President for the Dublin Region in my first year and now the Vice President for Welfare.
Were there particular elements of mental health that you wanted to focus on were you to be elected?
Drawing from my experience in my previous role, an element of mental health that I want to focus on this year is the loneliness epidemic that we are currently seeing on campus that is being spurred on by the lack of accommodation and increase in the number of students commuting.
What are the keys areas you want to focus on this year? What do you think are the main issues students are dealing with at the moment?
The main areas that I want to focus on this year are the student accommodation crisis, digs legislation, accommodation scam awareness, SUSI issues, organising SafeTalk training for union officers and reform of Welfare events within AMLÉ.
What advice would you give to students about their mental health?
When it comes to students’ mental health in third level education, it’s becoming increasingly difficult and stressful for students to take proper care of themselves and their well-being while also balancing their studies, time for friends and family, jobs, hobbies and commuting. It has never been so important for students to make sure that they are prioritising their mental health and reaching out for help when they need it – whether it’s to a friend or family member or their college support services or Students’ Union.
If there was one thing related to mental health that you wish all students knew, what would it be?
I wish that all students knew that their students’ unions and student support services are always there to help. So often these services are underutilised by the students that need them most and there is absolutely no shame in ever reaching out for help.
What is your favourite/ main form of self-care and why?
My favourite form of self-care is being organised for the next coming day. I find that having my clothes laid out, being aware of upcoming meetings and events, having my bag packed and lunch ready puts me at ease and means that by putting in a small bit of work today before that I will have a much better tomorrow.
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